Folkestone

Match Report

Another day, another game and another Straggler bowling performance of note. The next-gen opening pair of Freddie Evans (2 for 28) and Jasper Williams (1 for 15) were on the money from the outset, the hard-hitting Folkestone top order kept honest and then removed, aided by an exceptional catch by James Felton who managed to prevent the ball parting his hair. The change bowlers (Sef and James) kept up the pressure, but Straggler catching let them down badly.  Sef, in particular, was poorly served by his fielders, who shelled at least four opportunities, and he was finally obliged to rely on the umpire to confirm the efficacy of a leg stump yorker to secure a victim. Freddie’s flat throw from the boundary then delivered a sharp run out – 82 for 5.  Turning to spin after drinks, Will Evans surprised the well-set number 3, who found a fielder who could catch (Hugo), the score now 105 for 6. Folkestone skipper, Chris Jay, completely barbecued a young batsman, who had played with deft touch and soft hands, only to be called for an imaginary single by his skipper.  This turned out to be the first wicket of a lower order collapse engineered by Alex Reese (2 for 16), the third a wonderfully sharp catch behind by Archie Brown – 114 for 9. It turned out that Folkestone would bat 12, and Chris managed the final partnerships to move the score along to 146, with the Stragglers finally holding catches – both James and Will taking excellent catches diving forward.

Hugo, his role as strike bowler comfortably covered by his younger teammates, strode out to open the innings with Kieran Premnath, only to face a young lady bowling a lovely line with enough movement to find an edge, caught at second slip. This brought James to the wicket, who, with Kieran, ticked off the target at a good rate.  However, Straggler batsmen have an ability to create a crisis from any situation.  James (22) was caught behind, Sef, Jasper and Will were in and out in quick time, and Kieran (48) fell just short of his maiden Straggler half century – 109 for 6. Archie Brown now joined Freddie Evans (21*) and struck a handful of elegant blows before falling with only sixteen remaining.  Skipper, Joe Gordon (17*) was not going to allow the Stragglers to fall over at this stage, hit his second ball for six, and saw the Straggs home without further alarm.  On a day of heavy showers down the east coast, it was remarkable to see a shower run along the base of the Downs with barely a drop falling on the ground.  And, as is always the case at Folkestone, the swallows, swifts, buzzards and dragonflies, which accompany most rural matches in Kent, were replaced by a passing Spitfire.